A Beloved Tradition Returns
Oregon Hoopla, Salem’s largest sporting event, is set to reclaim its historic home on Court Street this summer, ending a two‑year stint on State Street and reigniting the community’s love for street basketball.
The tournament, which began in 1999 with just 151 teams, has grown into a citywide celebration that draws thousands of players and spectators each year, turning the streets around the Capitol into a vibrant arena of competition and camaraderie.
After long‑term construction forced the organizers to relocate the competition to State Street in 2023, the removal of the fencing signals a return to the original north‑side venue adjacent to the Capitol grounds, a spot that has hosted the event for more than two decades.
City officials, local businesses and event sponsors are optimistic that the homecoming will reinvigorate community engagement, boost tourism and showcase Salem’s distinctive street‑basketball culture to a new generation of participants and fans.